News

France to add security gates at Thalys stations

24 Nov 2015 by GrahamSmith

France is introducing security gates to scan Thalys passengers and luggage at stations in Paris and Lille.

The measure will be introduced at both stations before December 20, French energy minister Segolene Royal said.

Similar gates are also planned for stations in Amsterdam and Brussels.

The move means that passengers will have to arrive in advance in order to pass security ahead of departure, similar to the set-up at airports, although likely to take significantly less time.

It comes as the country remains on high alert following a series of terrorist attacks in Paris on November 13.

In August, a suspected Islamist terrorist armed with an assault rifle was overpowered by passengers on a Thalys train travelling between Amsterdam and Paris.

Police are now investigating if Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the alleged ringleader of the Paris attacks, was also behind the thwarted Thalys train episode.

The Thalys network connects Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Last week, Eurostar's first new Siemens train entered passenger service (see news, November 20).

thalys.com

Graham Smith

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